A new spot is heating up the dining scene in Ocean County, just in time for summer. Now open, Breakers Kitchen & Tap can be found next to the Barnegat Branch Rail Trail in Waretown. Sisters Kelly Ford and Katie Davis own the business, which provides local craft brews and fresh food; the duo have been living in Barnegat for more than 15 years.
Both Ford and Davis were working in the restaurant industry while attending college in Dallas. After college, however, they went into their own careers; teaching and social work. It wasn’t until 20 years later that they made the decision to try something new.
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The Story Behind Breakers Kitchen & Tap in Ocean County
“We wanted a second career to fulfill our pipe dream of owning a restaurant,” says Ford.
Ford and Davis dedicate the restaurant to their father, Mark Lepine, who passed away suddenly in 2011. In a twist of fate, the last time they saw their father was actually in the building that became Breakers. The 5,000-square-foot site was previously known as Longshots, a bar and restaurant.
According to the Breakers website, credit for the restaurant’s name goes to Ford’s son, Mark. After learning the meaning behind it, both women thought the name matched their vision of the restaurant.
Ford thinks that “What makes our spot interesting and special is our location right off of Route 9 on the way to the beaches, bays and boats, as close as a mile away, without having to deal with the shore traffic.”
Another aspect of Breakers Kitchen & Tap that sets it apart is their commitment to making every customer feel valued. “We love to eat great food and drink handcrafted drinks,” Davis adds. They both “want to provide that to others at our business. We focus on the guest experience by having that extra touch of hospitality which we think sets us apart.”
The Breakers team believes a positive guest experience starts from the minute they walk in the door. “Guests at our restaurant can expect to be greeted warmly with ‘Hi, Welcome to Breakers’ and be treated with a high level of respect from every staff member,’ assures Davis.
What’s On Tap at Breakers Kitchen & Tap
Aiming to be a happy neighborhood destination, the restaurant supports local craft breweries, featuring them prominently in their daily selection. You’ll find brews from locals like Backward Flag Brewing Company, Cypress Brewing Company, Ship Bottom Brewery and more.
Breakers also offers signature sangrias, martinis and handcrafted cocktails. The Fandango Martini, for example, is made of Stoli Ohranj, Triple Sec, fresh lime and cranberry. The cocktail gets its name from a once-prominent event held at the Waretown Railroad Station; during the gathering, attendees would perform a dance known as The Fandango.
As for the menu, house specialties include fish and chips, signature crab cakes and maple orange glazed wild salmon.
The restaurant hosts regular events and discounts. Every Monday, active duty or retired service members get 15 percent off all food and drinks. Tuesdays feature half price tater tots all day, and come in varieties like loaded or Parmesan truffle. Wednesdays are, of course, Wings Day and you can get them for half price all day. During “Thirsty Thursdays,” you can get happy hour drink prices all day and night.
Breakers Kitchen & Tap is located at 537 Route 9 in Waretown. They’re open Monday through Sunday from 11:30 am to midnight. Breakers serves lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. To learn more, visit www.breakerskitchenandtap.com or call 609-622-2963.
All Photos: © Breakers Kitchen & Tap / Facebook
 Kelly Ford and Katie Davis own Breakers Kitchen & Tap, which provides local craft brews and fresh food.){kind=link}